October 1588, 21-25

Oct. 21.

Sir John Norryes to Walsingham.

Arrived here yesterday, where he met Captain Anthony
Wyngfeeld's ensign from Ostend, who had charge to tell him of
the state of that place: he said that "the soldiers continued in
very insolent terms towards their governor and captains; that
they challenged by promise their count and reckoning by a day,
failing whereof he doubted the issue would be dangerous." He
advises that 3 or 400 loyal troops be sent thither, with which,
and such party as he could make, he may be able to overrule
the mutineers. He also wrote thus to Lord Wylloby, with whom
Norreys will confer about the matter although he dare advise
nothing till he knows Walsingham's direction. Does not know if
the governor concurs with Wyngfeeld's opinion. Thinks "that
must be the way at last; and that the town is in worse terms than
is thought of." The ensign also brought a letter from the
governor, wherein "there is not one word of the state of the
town, only of his desire to be from thence, and to go this journey"
with Norreys. Cannot yet advise anything concerning his own
negotiation. The country was "never more forward to advance
anything against the Spaniard than at this time." No news from
Berghes since the attempt on the sconce, "but it seems the
Prince scarcely resolved to bring his cannon." The Marquis of
Renty and 4000 men have gone into Flanders to attack the isle of
Tergoes from that side, but is unlikely to do any good. Parma
threatens new preparations against next year. He has sent some
of the English rebels to the Pope.—Flusshynge, 21 October, 1588.

Some service was done at Berghen while he was there, 400 or so
of the enemy being slain and divers captains and men of account
taken prisoners.

Hurried thence to attend Sir John Norrey's coming. The
place, if provided with men and other necessaries, should beat off
the Duke's attempts. In fact, he has attempted nothing against
it or Tertoll since Russell left, and seems likely to withdraw his
forces.

Divers of the companies at Ostende should be replaced, lest
they begin a new disorder.

Asks that pay be sent over until October 12, as the soldiers' wants
and debts are great and their creditors pressing, many of the latter
being almost undone. Begs his lordship, of his wonted favour, to
secure him leave soon to return.—Vlisshing, 21 October, 1588.

Signed. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Holland XXVII. f. 155.]

Oct. 21/31.

George Gilpin to Walsingham.

Credence for the bearer, who brings "from one at Andwarpe
certain advertisement of an intended practice . . . against her
Majesty's most sacred person." As the bearer goes by way of
Ambsterdam, where he dwells, writes, by another way, more
largely of what he knows.—The Haghe, the last of October,
stilo novo.

Signed. Add. Endd. ⅓ p. [Holland XXVII. f. 159.]

[Oct. 21.]

Colman's reply to the Privy Council.

Asks, on his lord and master's (Willoughby's) behalf, that
further consideration be had of the four last articles of his lordship's requests, viz.:—

6. It would require time in sending to and fro. His lordship
promises not to augment her Majesty's charges and that he will
make the captains keep their companies full, so that their lordships
should have no doubts in committing the matter to his care and
discretion.

7. The only way to content both captain and soldier, and to
keep them fit and ready for service, is for the Treasurer to have in
his hands a certain amount of money over and above ordinary
weekly lendings, to be disposed by his lordship's warrant, upon
all extremities, to supply their wants. This has been done
hitherto mostly upon his lordship's own credit. The companies
will utterly decay unless some order be taken herein.

8. Payment of warrants due October 11 last would content
the soldier and greatly stand with her Majesty's honour, as well
as repair the army's credit amongst the English merchants and
that country people, "many having given credit more than they
be worth."

9. The States will not meet these extraordinary charges,
especially as they are outside the Contract. They would not even
relieve her Majesty's troops at Bergen. Such extraordinary
charge was never laid upon any general's own purse, so he
beseeches their lordships to move her Majesty to favour him.

3. Also paid by the Council's warrants to cashiered officers
8,862l. 19s. 2¾d.; imprested upon their entertainment due before
12 October, 1588, to divers officers, in March last, upon like
warrant, 2,400l.; paid to divers creditors by the like warrant, as
appears by a particular book, 5,000l. 9s. 3¼d.; total, 16,263l. 8s. 6d.
Remains unpaid 27,629l. 13s. 6¾d., besides the cannoneers as
aforesaid.

4. Of which remain there is due to captains now serving in the
Low Countries, 26,190l. 0s. 0¾d.

5. Due to their creditors, by bills brought in to the Treasurer
(many not brought in), 12,350l.

6. All may be paid in England to the 'Dutch' merchants'
friends or factors.

7. Uncertain, owing to rise and fall of the exchange and
uncertainty of the time of payment.

"I send you honour herein enclosed back again the letter of
them of Zeeland, with the notes by me made thereupon, as your
lordship yesterday required, together with the arrearages of those
of the Briell and Flushinge. Praying your honour to consider
thereupon in equity and for the avoiding of all further charges to
help the inhabitants, which are here in number, to good and
speedy satisfaction."—London, 22 October, 1588.

Signed. Add. Endd. ¼ p. [Holland XXVII. f. 171.]

Enclosing:—

Contents of a letter from the States [of Zeeland] to [Burghley],
delivered by Ortell.

The complaints of the inhabitants of the Briell and Flushing
being, by his honour's direction, viewed, and the particulars of the
sums which they advanced to her Majesty's garrisons at the
request of Captain Errington and Burlas, "being perused by me";
it is to be considered that they had good warrant and obligation
from every captain to the Treasurer of her Majesty's forces,
whereby they claim that their money should be deducted upon
those captains' first pay or imprests.

The garrisons in the last two years scarcely received any full
pay, but only imprests as formerly, and gave the inhabitants
bonds for repayment upon the first money or imprests they should
receive.

The inhabitants of the Briell still claim, under four separate
bonds, some 560l. sterling.

Those of Flushinge and Middelborough likewise claim
1,815l. 14s. sterling, disbursed for the garrisons of Flushinge,
Berghn-opt-Some, and Ostende.

Total demanded, 2,375l. 14s., for which they can deliver due
obligations from the captains.

Desiring her Majesty and his lordship to appoint someone to
take a note of their bills, and grant them present satisfaction.
It would content the inhabitants, and enable them to relieve
the garrisons in any future necessity. Otherwise the said inhabitants must return discouraged. Desire speedy answer.—London,
22 October, 1588.

Further contents of the letter.

Those of Flushing require redress of these points following:—

The town is overcharged with garrisons far above the ordinary,
and above the stipulations of the Treaty.

The revenues of the hospital for the poor and for orphans are
greatly depleted and in arrears by relieving the sick of the garrison.

That order be presently made concerning the fortifications
made or to be made above the ordinary contributions.

That the town be no longer molested about "service money,"
but convenient order be taken therein with the States of the
province.

That the garrison be paid better and more certainly, as promised
by the Treaty, to avoid disorder and the burdening of the town.

That present satisfaction be given to those who have supplied
the garrison with money, victuals, etc.

Endd. as above. 3 pp. [Holland XXVII. f. 173.]

Oct. 22.

Sir Thomas Morgan to Burghley.

Craves pardon for not having written since his arrival here.
The passage hence is free and "the enemy wholly removed from
over against Tertole." Some expected him to rise, as thirty
companies marched away from his camp, but they went only
upon an unsuccessful enterprise against Tergoose and have now
returned. Two prisoners, taken to-day, say that they mean to
remain.

One prisoner admits that all the Prince's artillery, save four
pieces in Woe castle, has marched away; his boats on the north
side are removed to the south.

Desires that some good order be taken for the new men that
are come over. Need of money for the others here.—Berges,
22 October, 1588.

Signed. Add. Endd. Seal. 1 p. [Holland XXVII.
f. 169.]

Oct. 23.

Sir John Conway to Burghley.

The state of this place is not so good as he reported at his
nephew Grevelle's being here, before October 14. On the arrival
of Sir Thomas Shyrley's man with supply of weekly lendings, the
garrison fell into its former disorders, demanding pay, "and
challenging of me into prison for performance of the same."
Their late conduct makes them entirely unworthy of her Majesty's
grace and "there will be no good reformation . . . . before
some of the chief be justified, in terror of the rest."

Could only appease them by granting each man a fortnight's
lendings upon their account, otherwise the place would have been
put in danger and the treasure lost. "By these means, and some
other courses that I took with best sort to make a stand for it, I
drew them to a pacification for the time." Disbursed 305l. 15s.
of the money which Shirle's man brought over. Desires Burghley
to defend his action with her Majesty. Will continue the lendings
in so much at his own charge, until pay come.

Has sent certain notes to the Lord General and sent one to
solicit him that three or four companies be sent hither to replace
the same number which Conway will send to him. This course
should be speedily taken, for though there is no fear that the
worst sort will so prevail as to endanger the place, yet they may
cause blood to be shed to the national dishonour.

The Prince has removed his artillery, which annoyed ships
entering Bargon. Lack of victuals and clothes in his camp. A
twopenny loaf of bread worth two or even three shillings there.

This garrison overthrew last Saturday a great convoy of
victuals and merchandise. The prisoners say that the Prince
has lost many of his chiefest, by shot, and they begin to despair of
his success.

Great need of some men-of-war upon this coast to safeguard the
communications of Ostend by sea.—Ostend, 23 October, 1588.

Holograph. Add. Endd. Seal. 2 pp. [Holland XXVII.
f. 175.]

Oct. 23.

Sir John Conway to [Walsingham ?].

To much the same effect as the above.—Ostend, 23 October,
1588.

Copy. Endd. 1½ pp. [Holland XXVII. f. 177.]

[Oct. 23.]

Points to be ordered by the Lord General in matters
presented to the Council by James Digges, overseer of musters.

Their lordships refer wholly to the Lord General the doubts and
difficulties presented to them by James Digges for perfecting the
accounts, etc., of the year ending 11 October, 1588.

To have special consideration in allowance of those absent, as
the number is great and as, if not prevented, abuse may grow
thereby. To use his authority in the checks, etc., of those
absent without his licence.

To allow Leicester's licences during his government, but since
then only if to her Majesty's benefit.

To confirm orders of musters established when Thomas Digges
was muster-master, and to add such as shall be thought convenient. To support James Digges and protect him from
injuries offered him or his deputies in the honest performance of
his duty.

To send early answer to their lordships' letters for the examination of Captain Lambarte's checks and the suspected abuses
therein.

Endd. with date. 1¼ pp. [Holland XXVII. f. 179.]

[Oct. 24.]

Articles concerning musters in the Low Countries, presented
by James Digges.

Desires that letters be written to the Lord General for the effecting
of these points, according to their lordships' late resolution.

1. That commissaries resident attend diligently to their
charges, duly observe the orders, etc., send their muster-rolls,
orderly perfected, in due time to the office of musters, and send
every three months an account of their proceedings, as was
accustomed before the muster-master's discharge.

2. That negligence, connivance, corruption, etc., be severely
punished by dismissal or otherwise.

3. That each commissary change his garrison at least once
every six months, handing up his rolls, etc., to his successor
and sending his observations to the overseer of musters.

4. That any commissary found taking bribe, benevolence, or
fee, be 'cassed' without pay, and an example made of the first
so discovered.

5. That this may be better effected the Treasurer-at-wars has
been ordered to give the commissaries, on "your lordship's"
warrant, half-pay in weekly lendings.

Refer the rest to the articles hereinclosed (fn. 1) and James Digges'
relation.

Endd. with date. 1¼ pp. [Holland XXVII. f. 181.]

Oct. 25.

Lord Wyllughby to Burghley.

For news refers his lordship to this bearer, Mr. Allen. The lord
ambassador on the 24th, opened his negotiation with the Count
and those of the States and Council here present. Berghes being
in a manner delivered, Wyllughby came here as directed, but the
ambassador "is so well acquainted and so sufficient to deal in
these causes, as my counsel are but drops to the sea."

His last was of October 26, n.s., wherein he craved his honour's
advice about Mr. John de la Fall's proceeding in the 'mortary
howes' of his father, John de la Fall, which has been six years in
question. He would come over with Gylles to end the difference.
Prays his honour's favour herein, and also to obtain redress for
himself from Andrees de Loo.

Received letters of November 2, n.s., to-day from certain of the
best in Anwerp, that the Prince of Parma means to raise his
siege of Berges. He has brought four pieces of ordnance back to
Anwarp, and intends to make forts before Bargon and the land of
Tertoll and at Rossendall, to keep those of Berghes from foraging.
This will enable him to say he came there for no other purpose,
and so to save his honour if he raise his siege. Actually it is a
great dishonour. There is also news from Anwarp that they
hear at Calles that 50 of the Spanish navy had arrived in Byskeye;
also that they had advice of Sir John Norres' coming over, which
they liked not. At Anwarp they understand that the governor of
Flyshing will be replaced, which they are glad of as they make
great account of his good government.

Hopes for his favour in John la Fall's case, and towards Andres
de Loo.—Mydelborow, 4 November, 1588, stilo novo.

Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Holland XXVII. f. 186.]

Oct. 12 and 25.

Edward Barton to [Walsingham ?].

Since his last of September 28 [not found], hears from Don
Alvaro Mendas that a Jew belonging to David Pasmo comes
shortly from Don Antonio to solicit the Grand Signor for his
restoration to his kingdom. Alvaro is grieved at being trusted
less than one of so small credit and suspected of Spanish leanings,
who ever frequents the Imperial, French, and Venetian ambassadors, but never visits Barton, who likewise feels quite unable to
trust him.

Don Alvaro and the chief Bassas assure him of the Grand
Signor's determination "to set forth this year a great fleet":
will advertise the certainty thereof "in my future of December,"
and has more hope of it than before. (fn. 2)

"The Grand Signor hath sent a hundred loads of false, naughty
aspers, counting every load at 60,000, to employ in corn and other
provision for the city." All are to be forced to sell their corn for
these aspers, which are "little better than English leaden
farthings." Six months ago he took an inestimable sum from his
subjects by taxation "for the stamping of a new coin, which now
he is so far from sending forth as that daily he suffereth the
money [to] grow from worse to worse . . . ."—Rapamet, 12
October, 1588.

Since the above his honour has probably heard from Mr.
Harborne of the Cassackes' incursion upon the borders of Bender
in June last. They were beaten off with many killed and loss of
their booty. The Grand Signor blames the King of Poland for
their incursions. He has ordered a castle to be built at their
usual crossing-place, and has instructed all the frontier Beys and
the Tartars that they are to invade Poland and spoil all they can,
if the King does not follow his predecessors' example and send
an ambassador to renew the league before the congealing of the
ice, which is the only time when the Tartars invade Poland, i.e.
about November. It is said that the ambassador is delayed
because the Pope has sent two cardinals to reconcile the King
and Maximilian, so that they may unite their forces against the
Turk. The order to the Beys has been made public in the hope
of hastening the ambassador. They think that the King would
not proceed in such a matter if his ambassador were here. Also
in the event of war with Poland, they would have to sacrifice their
advantage over Persia and make a peace, or else place the whole
empire in extreme danger from so many mighty enemies at once.

Two Greek youths recently sought to be given the government
of Bugdania and Wallachia. The Beglerbey won their confidence,
and got them to promise him a bribe, and then wrote to the present
governors, revealing the whole matter. They offered double the
bribe, so he sent the youths to them. They will, doubtless, cut off
their ears, and also use the bribe as an excuse for further heavy
taxation of their subjects, who have been brought to such misery
that they would prefer a Turk for their governor.

Lancomo finds he acted unadvisedly towards Paulo Mariani.
Vento, instead of going to Alexandria, has headed for France
and is believed to carry letters from the Vicerey accusing Lancomo
of insufficiency and highly commending Vento, who doubtless
hopes, by "favour of the Queen Mother whom he serveth, to
deprive Lancomo and place himself."

Skirmishes in Hungary. The ambassador has presented
threatening letters to the Grand Signor: will send a copy when
they are translated.—Rapamet, 25 October, 1588.